Evers Will Use $100 Million To Expand Broadband

ACROSS WISCONSIN — Gov. Tony Evers announced Tuesday that $100 million in federal stimulus funds will be used by the state for grants to expand broadband internet access across Wisconsin.

These funds add onto a $200 million proposal for greater broadband access which is still pending before Republican-controlled legislature.

According to a statement from the governor's office, the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) will launch a round of broadband expansion funding in two weeks using the federal stimulus funds from the American Rescue Plan. Funding will be awarded based on a model similar to similar broadband expansion grant programs.

The PSC will open applications starting June 1 and include information on project eligibility guidelines. Applications will be due by July 27 of this year.

Evers said that the funds and his proposed state budget will be a major step toward connecting everyone in the state.

In September of 2020, Evers allocated $5 million from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act for the PSC to make awards to 12 broadband expansion projects. According to the statement, these projects provided new or improved access to 20,000 Wisconsin homes, businesses and farms.